Helicopter crashes near London Station

A helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential blocks in central London on Wednesday, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air. Police said there was nothing to indicate that the crash on the south bank of the River Thames was linked to an attack on London, where 52 commuters were killed in rush hour suicide bombings in 2005. "There was a really loud bang," said Julie Marsden, who works in an office building near the crash site which is close to landmarks such as the headquarters of Britain's MI6 international intelligence agency and the Houses of Parliament.

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Smoke pours from the burning debris of a helicopter which crashed in the Vauxhall area, January 16, 2012 in London, England. The helicopter appeared to hit a crane attached to the nearby St Georges Wharf Tower before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Victor Jimenez/Getty Images)

Smoke pours from the burning debris of a helicopter which crashed in the Vauxhall area, January 16, 2012 in London, England. The helicopter appeared to hit a crane attached to the nearby St Georges Wharf Tower before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Victor Jimenez/Getty Images)